How do I get such an enthusiastic recall from across a pasture, mid-visit with her very best friends in the whole world (barn kitties)? By progressing through all the things we do/don't do in your lessons, thoughtfully and consistently. ☺ (sound up)
How's your recall coming along with your Fido?
Confession: due to being so focused on you and your dog when we're together, I have yet to be very successful at taking videos of the small, rewarded, fair asks we make of your dog as she learns her way to any given final product. Heck, it takes a lot for me to remember to get a quick photo of each new friend! 🤦♀️😂 (Side note: New Year's Resolution identified! 🥳)
Anyway---Although these clips are of my Assistant Trainer, Ruby...who already understands the final product...she learned it the same way I introduce(d) it to your dog.
The "WAIT" cue...I'm sure I use it every day in some form or fashion. At a door or gate, getting into/out of a vehicle, encountering a new situation that I need to think about for a second, needing a pause in movement when my dog is 30' away and working up a good tangle in a long line or a bush, entering or exiting a crate/shower/my bed...you get the idea. Too many ways to list. Sometimes I need my dogs to remain behind when I leave an area...sometimes they are asked to continue along with me after the coast is clear...sometimes they are given the nod to continue to forge the "trail" up ahead of me.
Here are a few super quick clips in illustration of just a couple of the ways WAIT could be used in "real life" on a given day, volume up for insight into "timing". (some clips posted in comments as FB is out-smarting my best efforts at tech savvy-ness and creativity this afternoon)
Big thanks to Ruby for participating, despite how much she dislikes paparazzi! ❤
Decorating for Christmas has the potential to be scary for animals. Ruby the LBD (Little Brown Dog) came to us with a lot of fear when we adopted her several years ago. She has gained confidence in leaps and bounds with our thoughtful approach to life with her. One of the strategies we use is that when a new or even potentially scary/previously scary thing happens (preferably at a distance that respects her personal bubble of comfort), we give her a few seconds to notice it/have it register. Then, we introduce something super rewarding to her in order to pair the event/experience with the positive. Before you know it, the new or scary event or situation becomes a happily anticipated event or situation.
Again, decorating for Christmas has the potential to be scary for animals. So, as soon as my hubby starts unwinding the lights to get ready to string, I watch Ruby to make sure she has taken notice. Then I go straight to the stash of frozen lick mats. Ruby spent both nights of tree decoration just a few feet away during the entire process, and once finished with her mat, went straight to the tree to sniff and explore.
(Please excuse the unfinished tree...I took a quick pause to get a clip of Ruby before getting back to work. This year's tree theme...animals. Anyone surprised? ☺)
For those of you who celebrate...how is everyone else's decorating coming along? 🎄🎄🎄
One Beagley-Basset example of some advanced use of the cue "Find".
Loose leash walking. The agreement I have with dogs in my life is that whether you have access to 6' or 60' the fun will continue as long as Pup leaves some slack in the leash. At times, you can't have access to the full 60' because of the crowds at the farmer's market or the meticulously-landscaped lawns of your neighbors, but I will provide you with as much choice as the conditions allow. This was my buddy's 1st outing in new parts of his neighborhood and only the 2nd time he'd been on a leash with me. I shaped and rewarded the behaviors that led to relaxed walking with a loose leash and there was no need to "correct" him at any point...and this was where we landed. Mix in some encouragement to "go sniff" and time to get his "silly on" with a fun toy. Off to an excellent start...and he and I both had a blast!
These two! ❤Ruby & Julius❤
Have you and your Fidos (and maybe your cats who think they are Fidos?) been out enjoying the beautiful Fall days too?
Ruby's first effort with our new snuffle ball. Enrichment has been an absolute game changer for her, our Litttle Brown Dog whose pre-rescue experiences---and lack thereof---manifested in significant fear and avoidance of new people and things.
84 degrees in March here in NC, so no campfires in our camper's future...but a great day for a Pup Cup. My buddy is a bit hesitant about getting into and out of taller SUVs with his humans, plus he gets a bit worried with an upset belly during some of his car trips. So today I took our show on the road in my standard height car, allowing him time to decide when to jump in/out, and added yummy treats as a reward. Our subsequent drive was short and included a sniff walk around our local, small hardware store as well as a trip through the DQ drive-through for a Pup Cup. Polite boy that he is, he brought the PC home to share with resident counselors Ruby and Elvis...brownie points and prevention of belly devils all around.
In his life prior to his rescue, my buddy endured horrible abuse that resulted in severe injury. Though safe, once rescued, he faced intense medical care and procedures. It's no surprise that he has strong feelings about a few things. His family reached out to see if it was possible that he might someday enjoy going for outdoor adventures. They just wanted him to have the biggest life he was able to comfortably have. The reason they doubted it might be possible was due to the fact that he panicked when approached with a collar or harness or leash. He did his very best to keep everyone away if he saw any "gear"...and he really got his point across. He was so traumatized that he even attacked the leash of his adopted brother when the humans attempted to take brother for a walk. I took this video this week, during our 6th and final session together. My heart almost burst with joy. Slow and steady wins the race....along with positive methods! These dedicated humans are my heroes!
Based on the situation and environment from which Elvis was rescued, it is a safe bet that he either 1) had no experience with a walk-in shower 2) had no experience with bathing at all or 3) had no positive experience with baths or showers of any kind
So, from the first time he had any exposure to our walk-in shower in "the dogs' bathroom", I made sure that a positive association was being created. By the time he had his first shower, it was absolutely no big deal. The bigger takeaway is that by creating positive associations back then, he actually hopes for an opportunity to take a shower now.
When he hears the water run in "his" shower as I warm it up in preparation for him, he runs to the bathroom from wherever he is in the house and does this...his version of "hurry Mom, hurry!"
Bathtime for Beagle, lol. Volume up for full appreciation.☺️
I encourage all of my clients to give their dogs an opportunity to take regular "sniff walks". I recommend they use a long line to allow their pup to explore at their own pace and at a distance if they so desire. This prolonged sniffing is hugely impactful and beneficial for many reasons.
And sometimes, when your dog is a beagley-basset, the "walk" part of the "sniff walk" is a bit subjective, LOL. But...it was still so very good for his brain!! (Sound up if you want to get a small glimpse of what it's like to live with a legitimate hound dog.)
"Fido Takes a Fieldtrip" services in action!
It was a gorgeous day to take puppy Ruger's training on the road. He worked on proofing his new skills with the added distractions of lunchtime at his local Town Center. Mission accomplished by both Ruger and his mom. Well done you two!
We aren't set up to do much board-and-train...or even boarding... though it does happen now and then. The reason? Any dog that comes to the farm will be joining our family routine while they are away from their family. They will live in our house and be a part of our hub-bub while they learn and spend time away from their humans. All species must feel comfortable and at peace with the personalized tweaks and changes that accompany a guest. That could be a big ask of the residents. But...when done right...it is a lot like camp. Scenes from Camp Elvis here at the farm. (I claim 2 of the 3 as my own...any guesses who is visiting?)
WARNING.....PROUD TRAINER MOMENT!!!!
These two...I cannot say enough about how impressed I am with their connection and commitment to each other...all to live their best lives together. Progressing their loose-leash-walking skills on their 2nd visit ever to a popular community location while massive construction was going on right across the street? No problem for these guys these days, despite moments of worry and reaction to new people and dogs in their own home back when I met them initially. Why? Because we took the time it took, and listened to everyone involved. Oh yeah, and we never pulled out any "aversive" methods or gear...plain old harness, regular old leash, good snacks, and some time with a clicker along the way. The slower you go, the faster you get there. Bonus points for coming dressed for the holiday, right? Happy Halloween!!
❤️TeamSaber❤️
This beagley-basset is 90% nose. When we first met him, the thought of being able to "call him off" of his most favorite thing in the whole world---snuffling---seemed impossible. Guess what? It wasn't! Using only positive, rewards-based methods we blew past calling him off of all of the amazing smells and progressed to calling him off AND calling him to us from a great distance. If you need help with your Fido, please visit our website and see if you like what you see. We'd love to hear from you!
